The Indian government has failed to curb the rampant sexual abuse of children, especially in schools and state-run child care facilities, a rights group said.<\/p>\n
Human Rights Watch (HRW), in its report released on Thursday, cited the recent fatal gang-rape of a young woman on a New Delhi bus in December, an attack that shook the conscience of the nation and forced people to introspect on the way women are treated in India.<\/p>\n
The outcry forced the government to rush through new laws to protect women.
\nConfronting India’s culture of rape [Al Jazeera]<\/p>\n
A government panel appointed after the attack to examine the country’s treatment of women also shone a light on the high incidence of child sexual abuse and the failure of the government to ensure the implementation of child protection laws.<\/p>\n
Child rights activists say the government needs to implement the panel’s recommendations on preventing child sexual abuse as well.<\/p>\n
The new report from HRW said such abuse is disturbingly common, government responses are falling short in protecting children and in treating victims.<\/p>\n
The report urges the government to ensure rigorous implementation of child protection laws and strict monitoring of child care facilities.<\/p>\n
It calls for an end to traumatic medical examinations and insensitive treatment by police and other authorities, which subject victims to further distress.<\/p>\n